Granite and bronze memorial

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MI -- Visitors to the Resurrection Cemetery will notice a recent addition to the cemetery's lawn. The McLeod family memorial -- designed by Mark Salzman and built by the private estates division of Cold Spring Granite Co. -- has been uniquely designed, from its Lake Superior Green granite to a series of intricate bronze reliefs, which utilized Cold Spring's new engraved bronze process.

"The whole design evolved after several meetings with the family," said Salzman. "We wanted to develop something special, with the focus on the life of Christ and Mary in particular."

Working on that theme, Salzman developed a design that centered on a 12-foot Gothic arch rising behind a life-size sculpture of Madonna holding a child. Within the arch is a series of bronze icons depicting events in the life of Christ. Salzman worked with his brother, a Byzantine iconographer, to design the appropriate icons. Mike Neu, Regional Manager for Cold Spring Estates and the project manager for the McLeod memorial, said this was the first significant test of the company's proprietary CNC bronze engraving system. The company is now using the process extensively in its Granit Bronz product line for all types of bronze memorial work.

In addition to the bronze work, Cold Spring Granite also overcame other challenges in building the memorial. The Gothic arch required demanding radial mold work and the individual manufacturing of numerous granite pieces. It also had to be flanked by two granite columns and mounted on a three-stepped circular floor. Extending outward from the arch is a walkway, containing two in-ground vaults, which extend back to a granite bench.

The memorial exclusively used Lake Superior Green granite, but was varied in color and texture by being polished in some places and thermal finished in others.

In the December 2016 issue, we look at some highlights of the Marmo+Mac 2016, and the new renovations of the Freemasons' Hall in London, England. We also present some new products, technology updates, machine of the month, and stone of the month.

For this issue, we are excited to share with you four features that focus on using compact and ultrathin slabs in both residential and commercial projects. As these products continue to gain popularity, we wanted to share different ideas of applications, including an upscale dining environment in the interior of a Saks Fifth Avenue.